Semiconductor capital expenditures (CapEx) increased 35% in 2021 and 15% in 2022, according to IC Insights. Our projection at Semiconductor Intelligence is a 14% decline in CapEx in 2023, based primarily on company statements. The biggest cuts will be made by the memory companies, with a 19% drop. CapEx will drop 50% at SK Hynix… Read More
Efabless Celebrates AI Design Challenge Winners!
The first AI Generated Open-Source Silicon Design Challenge invited participants to use generative AI to design an open-source silicon chip and tape it out in just three weeks. The contestants were required to create Verilog code from natural language prompts, and then implemented their designs using the chipIgnite platform… Read More
Optimism Prevailed at CEO Outlook, though Downturn Could Bring Unpredictable Challenges
Chances are anyone who attended the CEO Outlook will say it was an engaging, entertaining and enlightening view of the chip design space, though CEO Outlook may be a misnomer as four of the seven panelists had C-Suite titles other than CEO.
Regardless, the collective view was optimistic, though caution prevailed as the economic… Read More
Intel Internal Foundry Model Webinar
Intel held a webinar today to discuss their IDM2.0 internal foundry model. On the call were Dave Zinsner Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Jason Grebe Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Corporate Planning Group.
On a humorous note, the person moderating the attendee questions sounded … Read More
Nominations for Phil Kaufman Award, Phil Kaufman Hall of Fame Close June 30
Plan ahead now because Friday, June 30, is the deadline to submit nominations for the Phil Kaufman Award and the Phil Kaufman Hall of Fame for anyone you think is deserving of these honors. If you haven’t given it any thought, please consider nominating someone.
Before we look at both and the nomination requirements, here’s a thumbnail… Read More
Applied Materials Announces “EPIC” Development Center
On May 22nd Applied Materials announced a new development center, Equipment and Process Innovation and Commercialization Center (EPIC).
Applied Materials already operates the Maydan Technology Center (MTC), a billion-dollar development facility with over 120 advanced process tools and 80 metrology and inspection tools… Read More
PCI-SIG DevCon and Where Samtec Fits
PCIe (peripheral component interconnect express) is an interface standard for connecting high-speed components contained in PCs, MACs and other types of processors. Think graphics, storage arrays, Wi-Fi and the like. This communication standard has become incredibly popular. The first version of the standard was released… Read More
Real-Time AI-driven Image Signal Processing with Reduced Memory Footprint and Processing Latency
In our day to day lives, we all benefit from image signal processing (ISP), whether everyone realizes it or not. ISP is the technique of processing image data captured by an imaging device. It involves a series of algorithms that transform raw image data into a usable image by correcting for distortions, removing noise, adjusting… Read More
Investing in a sustainable semiconductor future: Materials Matter
In 2020 TSMC established its Net Zero Project with a goal of net zero emissions by 2050. I remember wondering how could this possibly be done before 2050 or at all for that matter. After working with TSMC for 20+ years I have learned never to bet against them on any topic and green manufacturing is one of them, absolutely.
TSMC presented… Read More
Micron Mandarin Memory Machinations- CHIPS Act semiconductor equipment hypocrisy
-We think China issue is overblown- Zero sum game theory
-US should respond Tit-for-Tat and then some- Chop Chinese Chips
-Chip equip makers duplicitous behavior- smacks of hypocrisy
-Exporting chip equip biz/jobs to Asia while asking for CHIPS Act$
Memory Market remains a zero sum game market much like petroleum
China’s… Read More


Silicon Insurance: Why eFPGA is Cheaper Than a Respin — and Why It Matters in the Intel 18A Era